AFA soccer coach retires after 17 years

After 17 years with women's soccer at Air Force, Marty Buckley has announced his retirement from coaching. Buckley will stay at the academy as the area coordinator for lifetime sports in the department of physical education.

Buckley just completed his 23rd season as a coach at the academy, after serving as an assistant men's coach for six seasons. Buckley started the women's soccer program in 1992 and directed the team's transition from Division II to Division I in 1996. In his 17 seasons at the helm, he led the Falcons to a 111-181-17 record.

Larry Friend, Buckley's longtime assistant, has been named the interim coach for the 2009 season. Friend completed his 11th season with the Falcons and has been an integral part of the program since its inception.

A 1985 academy graduate and four-year letterman, Friend served as an assistant from 1992 to 1996 while on active duty and again from 2002 to present. He retired from the Air Force in 2005 after 20 years of service. He has more than 2,000 flying hours as a helicopter pilot.

"I am extremely grateful to the Air Force Academy for the all the support and the opportunity to lead the women's soccer program," Buckley said. "I am really excited about this new challenge to continue to work with the outstanding young men and women at the academy. Being the first head coach in the history of the program, I am confident that the program is in good hands with Larry and he will keep program going in the right direction."